Sawnee Mountain Preserve

Located just 40 miles north of Atlanta in Cumming, Georgia, Sawnee Mountain Preserve provides visitors with 963 acres of scenic passive space, hiking trails and an interactive Visitor Center. The Visitor Center serves as the administrative home for the Outdoor Division of Forsyth County Parks and Recreation.

Sawnee Mountain visibly links to the summit of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range, as well as the rich history of the woodland culture of North Georgia’s Native American inhabitants. The mountain is named after a local Cherokee Native American, Sawnee. Now, after having survived the passage of time, natural disasters, searches for gold, timber clearing, and urban development, Sawnee Mountain is the landmark host to The Sawnee Mountain Preserve & Visitor Center.

In 2005 the Preserve was awarded “Most Outstanding Green Space Plan” by the Georgia Urban Forestry Council. The council also awarded the Visitor Center with "Outstanding New Development" for 2008. The Association of County Commissioners of Georgia named Forsyth County among the recipients of the fourth annual County Excellence Awards for the Preserve in 2009.

The Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center is the ideal place to begin your visit to the Preserve. Hours of operation are Monday - Saturday, 8:30AM - 5:00PM. Admission is free of charge. The Center features interactive exhibits on the natural and cultural histories of Sawnee Mountain and a resource library/lounge for visitors to relax and read.

Sawnee Mountain Preserve offers a number of amenities that are available for the general public. A hike up to the Indian Seats, a natural rock formation at the top of the trail system, offers a beautiful setting for enjoying the views of the North Georgia Mountains. This is also a perfect location for family photographs, particularly during the fall leaf season.